Thank you very much bob, of course an offensive break down is also appreciated. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions on your response?
{asks anyway without hearing an answer}
1) On the modified Cover 2, are the modifications the things that you mentioned (typically will drop the MLB extra deep and drop a DT into the RB-hook area vacated by the DT to prevent the easy dump pass) or are there more?
2) The dropping of the DT, is that something that is done to surprise, or is it done on most of obvious passing downs?
3) The cover 3 on running downs, is that in a big nickle type thing, or is the third party the MLB? Can you break down this defense a little more (weak points, defenders used, etc.)
4) How has Washington handled the spread offense?
5) How big are the guys on the DL?
1) That's typically it. The CBs might play a bit softer than usual to prevent an easy completion on the outs and deep curls. Williams has great faith in his guys tackling, which has been pretty darn good this year, so he'll play back and let his guys fly up to make the tackle to prevent YAC.
2) Dropping the DT is done quite a bit. I'd guess we see it about 1/2 the time in an obvious pass-rush situation.
3) Cover-3 in running downs sees Landry drop down as a stack-LB, while Washington or McIntosh move to the LOS to give a 5 man front, with 2 LBs and a SS behind that. It's very effective at stopping the run and the short pass. It is extremely vulnerable to the deep-in (15-18 yards or so). Surprisingly, it hasn't been too vulnerable to the deep ball because Taylor lines up so deep and has such a good knack for sniffing out the ball.
4) Detroit tried the spread a good bit. Williams never blitzed against them. Not once. He primarily played his modified cover-2 out of nickel, some cover-3, and an occasional cover-2 man-under. I forgot to mention that sometimes instead of a 3rd CB the Skins will use safety Pierson Prioleau as a nickel defender. He will almost never be asked to cover an outside defender or play a deep zone - he is almost exclusive in the slot or a short zone. He's a great defender though because he knows exactly where he's supposed to be at all times, and is a solid tackler. He would have started last year over Archuleta but for tearing his ACL on the opening kick-off. I feel very fortunate he's made a great comeback because he provides great safety depth.
5) The DL, aside from Carter, is a solid group are all very stout. This is just an estimte from my memory, but Daniels runs 280 or so (big for a 4-3 DE), Griffin is back up to 310 or so, Montgomery is probably in the 315 area, and Carter runs 260 or so (but is literally all muscle, he has some ridiculously low body-fat percentage). I also forgot to mention the Skins will bring in a pass-rush specialist named Chris Wilson (undrafted rookie free agent) on passing downs who isn't too bad at getting the corner. Sometimes I think he's instructed just to get to the corner, even if a bit deep, if for nothing else just to force the QB off his preferred throwing spot and into Griffin's rush or to alter the QBs throwing mechanics.
I'll get to the offense later this afternoon.
